Why some students underperform in the exam room

Feb 17, 2021

Why do some students underperform in the exam room despite putting in hours and hours of hard work?

This is something we see when students arrive at HSC CoWorks. There is a lot of frustration and occasionally feelings of being demoralised because a student has put in hours and hours of what we would call well intentioned work but at the same time as being well intentioned its ineffective. When we are training for the exam room we need to give our brain the very best opportunity to be able to perform under those exam conditions and the only way to do that is to continually simulate those exam conditions.

Why should students be aiming to know their foundation of content for each subject as well as any other student from their school?

In order to be prepared for any exam and any question we must have high levels of certainty around the foundational content. I guarantee in any and every school across NSW the students that are coming 1st, 2nd or 3rd in their respective subjects can recall every aspect of the foundational content without even thinking about it. Foundational content refers to the syllabus and other associated ideas e.g. definitions, formulas etc. Whatever it might be, those students know that material because they are training on a daily basis. The objective for every student is to know their foundational content better than anyone else which in turn sets up a student to be able to move into more difficult training tasks that simulate the exam room and therefore perform to their full potential.

Watch the video for a more in depth explanation on why students underperform in the exam room.

Why is daily training the brain so important in achieving a great HSC result?

Our brain craves certainty. Unless we are continually training and operating with repetition of our foundational content the connections and pathways in our brain become weaker over time. Small training exercises every single day allow our brain to hardwire that content which is setting us up to be able to perform under exam conditions.

That really is the key.

What is an example of a daily training exercise?

If you know your English quotes do you feel more confident in writing a practice essay?

Every single student we have asked has said yes I would feel more confident as I would feel more certain around the foundational material in that essay.

In a typical HSC essay there might be 12-15 quotes that a student uses as part of responding to a question. With those 12 -15 quotes it would be our recommendation to have a master list of those quotes and then from memory write out those quotes every single day. The first time writing it out might be a little bit clunky but with repetition you will gain more certainty and be able to recall these quotes with ease.

HSC CoWorks provides HSC support for students across our Mosman, Bondi Junction, Chatswood, and Dee Why locations. We are also able to provide support to students across NSW virtually!

Our Navigating the HSC series provides parents and students with the knowledge they need to navigate their way through the HSC.

TOOLS

LITERARY TECHNIQUES

TEXTS AND HUMAN EXPERIENCE

Module C - The Craft of Writing

PDF of our planning pad for download

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PDF of our Mind Map pad for download

“Let’s Talk About the HSC”

The ultimate podcast for students and parents navigating the journey of the HSC. Presented by HSC CoWorks, each episode dives into the challenges and triumphs of the HSC experience, offering expert advice, study tips, and insights into achieving academic success.

Whether you’re preparing for exams, managing stress, or looking for ways to stay motivated, this podcast is your go-to guide for all things HSC. Join us as we chat with educators, students, and professionals to help you thrive during this important academic milestone!

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For most Year 12 students, Trial Exams are officially behind you! 🎉 Take a few days to switch off, reset and enjoy the feeling of having made it through!

Then it’s time to turn your attention to the final stretch. Trials aren’t meant to be perfect. They’re exactly what the name suggests, a trial run for the real thing.

So embrace the mistakes. Look closely at where marks were lost. Get feedback. Work out what needs to change and adjust your approach.

The next few weeks aren’t about starting again. They’re about refining, improving and building confidence from everything you’ve already done.

You’ve come this far. You’ve got this. 💪

#HSC2026 #HSCTrials #HSCStudy #Year12 #HSCTips

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For most Year 12 students, Trial Exams are officially behind you! 🎉 Take a few days to switch off, reset and enjoy the feeling of having made it through!
Then it’s time to turn your attention to the final stretch. Trials aren’t meant to be perfect. They’re exactly what the name suggests, a trial run for the real thing.
So embrace the mistakes. Look closely at where marks were lost. Get feedback. Work out what needs to change and adjust your approach.
The next few weeks aren’t about starting again. They’re about refining, improving and building confidence from everything you’ve already done.
You’ve come this far. You’ve got this. 💪
#HSC2026 #HSCTrials #HSCStudy #Year12 #HSCTips

Celebrating 30 years of HSC CoWorks! 💫

In 1996, @fergusgardiner started working with a small group of HSC students in Bondi Junction. His ability to inspire a genuine passion for learning particularly in English quickly saw that small group grow through word of mouth.

Fergus’ wife @carollgardiner alongside their son @jesseperformancecoach and his wife @sarahgards7 joined the business as it grew, helping to establish campuses in Mosman, Chatswood, Lindfield, Dee Why and Balgowlah. Jesse and Sarah now lead the organisation alongside an incredible team of more than 100 coaches, markers, teachers, an amazing Head Office and Web Development team, and also Emily and Nick who joined our team this year. There have been plenty of ups and downs, milestones, obstacles and lessons along the way, and HSC CoWorks wouldn’t be where it is today without the incredible people who have been part of it over the years.

And to every student who has walked through our doors and every parent who has trusted us to play a part in their child’s education, THANK YOU. Your support and trust over the past 30 years means more to us than we can say. We are so grateful to have worked with your child during the most important stage of their schooling career and thank you for championing our program as we strive to support young people develop the skills, habits and mindset that will support them long after their HSC.

And of course to our own family, especially our three children who put up with having both parents in the business and many weekends and evenings spent around the dinner table building new ideas, solving problems, packing study toolkits and everything in between!

We’re incredibly proud of what has been built over the past three decades, but even more excited about what comes next.

Thank you,
Jesse, Sarah, Fergus & Carol Gardiner

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Celebrating 30 years of HSC CoWorks! 💫
In 1996, @fergusgardiner started working with a small group of HSC students in Bondi Junction. His ability to inspire a genuine passion for learning particularly in English quickly saw that small group grow through word of mouth.
Fergus’ wife @carollgardiner alongside their son @jesseperformancecoach and his wife @sarahgards7 joined the business as it grew, helping to establish campuses in Mosman, Chatswood, Lindfield, Dee Why and Balgowlah. Jesse and Sarah now lead the organisation alongside an incredible team of more than 100 coaches, markers, teachers, an amazing Head Office and Web Development team, and also Emily and Nick who joined our team this year. There have been plenty of ups and downs, milestones, obstacles and lessons along the way, and HSC CoWorks wouldn’t be where it is today without the incredible people who have been part of it over the years.
And to every student who has walked through our doors and every parent who has trusted us to play a part in their child’s education, THANK YOU. Your support and trust over the past 30 years means more to us than we can say. We are so grateful to have worked with your child during the most important stage of their schooling career and thank you for championing our program as we strive to support young people develop the skills, habits and mindset that will support them long after their HSC.
And of course to our own family, especially our three children who put up with having both parents in the business and many weekends and evenings spent around the dinner table building new ideas, solving problems, packing study toolkits and everything in between!
We’re incredibly proud of what has been built over the past three decades, but even more excited about what comes next.
Thank you,
Jesse, Sarah, Fergus & Carol Gardiner

The HSC matters. But what students build along the way matters even more.

The HSC year is your training ground for life.. where you can develop skills like how to plan ahead, take ownership, tackle challenges, respond to feedback and perform under pressure.

These aren’t just skills for getting through Year 12. They’re the skills, mindset and habits that you will take with you into university, work and whatever comes next.

At HSC CoWorks, our role is to provide the structure, support, coaching and accountability that helps students develop these capabilities, while working towards their HSC goals.

#hsccoworks #hsc2026 #hsc2027 #hscstudyskills #hscmotivation

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The HSC matters. But what students build along the way matters even more.
The HSC year is your training ground for life.. where you can develop skills like how to plan ahead, take ownership, tackle challenges, respond to feedback and perform under pressure.
These aren’t just skills for getting through Year 12. They’re the skills, mindset and habits that you will take with you into university, work and whatever comes next.
At HSC CoWorks, our role is to provide the structure, support, coaching and accountability that helps students develop these capabilities, while working towards their HSC goals.
#hsccoworks #hsc2026 #hsc2027 #hscstudyskills #hscmotivation

The HSC isn’t meant to feel easy. But every time you choose to keep going, you’re building the confidence you’ll take into that exam room.

Do the hard work now. Thank yourself later. 💪

#HSC2026 #HSCMotivation #HSCStudy #HSCCoWorks

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Open post by hsccoworks with ID 18094000577439395

The HSC isn’t meant to feel easy. But every time you choose to keep going, you’re building the confidence you’ll take into that exam room.
Do the hard work now. Thank yourself later. 💪
#HSC2026 #HSCMotivation #HSCStudy #HSCCoWorks

HSC CoWorks Open Days are coming this September!

If you’re heading into Year 12 (HSC 2027), come and experience HSC CoWorks for yourself.

Meet our team, explore the space and discover how we help students build the structure, study habits, accountability and exam skills needed to reach their full potential in their HSC year.

📍 CHATSWOOD — 12 Sept | 10–11:30am
📍 BONDI JUNCTION — 12 Sept | 2–3:30pm
📍 MOSMAN — 19 Sept | 10–11:30am
📍 BALGOWLAH — 19 Sept | 2–3:30pm

⭐ Hear from our Head Performance Coach
⭐ Tour your local campus
⭐ Meet our Coaches & hear their stories
⭐ Ask questions and learn how the program works

FREE TO ATTEND | Students + parents/carers welcome

Places are limited so please book your spot via the link in bio.

#HSCCoWorks #HSC2027 #Year12 #HSCStudy #HSCMotivation

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HSC CoWorks Open Days are coming this September!
If you’re heading into Year 12 (HSC 2027), come and experience HSC CoWorks for yourself.
Meet our team, explore the space and discover how we help students build the structure, study habits, accountability and exam skills needed to reach their full potential in their HSC year.
📍 CHATSWOOD — 12 Sept | 10–11:30am
📍 BONDI JUNCTION — 12 Sept | 2–3:30pm
📍 MOSMAN — 19 Sept | 10–11:30am
📍 BALGOWLAH — 19 Sept | 2–3:30pm
⭐ Hear from our Head Performance Coach
⭐ Tour your local campus
⭐ Meet our Coaches & hear their stories
⭐ Ask questions and learn how the program works
FREE TO ATTEND | Students + parents/carers welcome
Places are limited so please book your spot via the link in bio.
#HSCCoWorks #HSC2027 #Year12 #HSCStudy #HSCMotivation